GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only
Makes 🢒 Pontiac 🢒 1997 🢒 Firebird 🢒 Transmission/Transaxle 🢒 Manual Transmission - M49 🢒 Transmission Disassemble

Tools Required
    • J 22912-01 Bearing Puller
    • J 8433 Pitman Arm Puller
    • J 8433-1 Puller Bar
    • J 3289-20 Holding Fixture
    • J 36842 Holding Fixture (5-Speed Manual Transmission)
    • J 39431 Rear Remover and Bolts

    Object Number: 38741 Size: SH
  1. Clean the exterior of the transmission assembly with solvent.
  2. Install the J 36842 onto the transmission .
  3. Mount the transmission on a workbench, using the J 3289-20 .
  4. Remove the transmission oil drain plug.
  5. Drain the transmission fluid into a suitable container.

    6. Object Number: 409658 Size: SH
  6. Remove the shifter bolts and the shifter.
  7. Remove the vent pipe bracket bolt.

    8. Object Number: 38743 Size: SH

    Important: Position the offset lever in neutral (centered). This will avoid driving the roll pin into the detent plate making further disassembly extremely difficult. Do not remove the offset lever while the extension housing is still bolted in place. The lever has a positioning lug engaged in the housing detent plate. The lug prevents moving the lever far enough for removal.

  8. Drive out the roll pin from the offset lever.
  9. Remove the extension housing-to-transmission case bolts.

    10. Object Number: 38471 Size: SH
  10. Remove the housing and the offset lever as an assembly.

    11. Object Number: 38473 Size: SH
  11. Remove the detent ball and spring from the offset lever.
  12. Remove the roll pin from the extension housing or from the offset lever.

    13. Object Number: 38475 Size: SH
  13. Remove the oiling funnel from the rear of the countershaft.

    14. Object Number: 38478 Size: SH
  14. Remove the bolts attaching the transmission case cover and the shift fork assembly to the case. Note the location of these bolts for assembly reference. Two of the cover bolts are alignment-type dowel bolts.
  15. Remove the case cover.

    16. Object Number: 38479 Size: SH
  16. Remove the following parts:
    17. 16.1. The reverse lever spring clip
    16.2. The pivot bolt

    Object Number: 38480 Size: SH
  17. Remove the backup lamp switch.

    18. Object Number: 38482 Size: SH
  18. Remove the 5th speed gear synchronizer retainer ring and the retainer from the rear of the countershaft.

    19. Object Number: 38484 Size: SH
  19. Unhook the reverse lock spring from the side of the transmission case.

    20. Object Number: 38485 Size: SH
  20. Remove the following parts as an assembly:
    21. 20.1. The 5th speed gear
    20.2. The synchronizer
    20.3. The shift fork
    20.4. The shift rail (If necessary, rotate the shift rail in order to disengage the shift rail from the reverse lever assembly.)

    Object Number: 38699 Size: SH
  21. Remove the retainer ring from the mainshaft.

    22. Object Number: 409659 Size: SH
  22. Remove the speedometer reluctor wheel retainer ring.

    23. Object Number: 38486 Size: SH
  23. Remove the speedometer reluctor wheel and the reluctor wheel retainer ball using theJ 8433-1 and the J 39431 .

    24. Object Number: 38487 Size: SH
  24. Remove the retainer ring from the 5th speed driven gear.

    25. Object Number: 38489 Size: SH
  25. Remove the following parts in order:
    26. 25.1. The front bearing retainer bolts
    25.2. The front bearing retainer
    25.3. The front bearing race
    25.4. The end play shims

    Object Number: 38491 Size: SH
  26. Remove the main drive gear from the transmission case. Rotate the main drive gear until the flat surface faces the countershaft. Do not to drop the 15 roller bearings, the thrust bearing, or the bearing race from the main drive gear.
  27. Remove the 4th speed gear blocker ring from the 3rd/4th speed gear synchronizer.

    28. Object Number: 38492 Size: SH
  28. Remove the mainshaft rear bearing race. If the bearing race sticks, the bearing race is probably misaligned in the case bore. Move the mainshaft back and fourth in order to loosen the bearing race.

    29. Object Number: 38493 Size: SH
  29. Remove the mainshaft from the transmission case.

    30. Object Number: 38494 Size: SH
  30. Remove the reverse gear fork assembly from the transmission case.

    31. Object Number: 38495 Size: SH
  31. Bend the locking tabs away from the countershaft retainer bolts.
  32. Remove the following parts:
    33. 32.1. The countershaft retainer bolts
    32.2. The countershaft retainer
    32.3. The shims

    Object Number: 38497 Size: SH
  33. Drive the roll pin out of the forward end of the reverse idler shaft.
  34. Remove the following parts in order:
    35. 34.1. The reverse idler gear shaft
    34.2. The rubber O-ring seal
    34.3. The reverse idler gear

    Object Number: 38740 Size: SH
  35. Remove the rear countershaft bearing race.

    36. Object Number: 38498 Size: SH
  36. Remove the countershaft bearing, using the J 8433 and the J 22912-01 .

    37. Object Number: 38499 Size: SH
  37. Remove the countershaft from the transmission case.